Mountain Regional wins council approval for floating solar at Signal Hill treatment plant

Council members acting as the Mountain Regional Water Special Service District voted July 5 to amend the district’s 2023 capital budget to support a floating photovoltaic array at the Signal Hill treatment plant.

District staff said Ameresco was the RFP respondent selected to build the array; BlueSky has committed a $400,000 grant and staff expects the federal investment‑tax credit to increase to about 40% of project costs given domestic sourcing. With district reserves and tax credits, staff said the district would pay under half the project cost and expects payback through avoided electricity costs (currently about $80,000 per year at the plant). Council members asked about contingency, winter performance of floating panels, how panel tilt and tethering would work with fluctuating pond levels, and whether net‑metering rules and crediting rates would affect the economics. Staff cited site visits to a Colorado installation and described tethering and snow‑sliding behavior observed in winter tests.

Council unanimously approved the amendment and a related certification of past‑due liens. Staff said next steps include finalizing contract terms with Ameresco, documenting grants and tax credits, and recording any required agreements.